very

1 used before adjectives, adverbs and determiners to mean ‘in a high degree’ or ‘extremely’very smallvery quicklyVery few people know that.Thanks very much.‘Do you like it?’ ‘Yeah, I do. Very much.’‘Is it what you expected?’ ‘Oh yes, very much so.’‘Are you busy?’ ‘Not very.’The new building has been very much admired.I'm not very(= not at all) impressed.I'm very very grateful.

2 used to emphasize a superlative adjective or before ownThey wanted the very best quality.Be there by six at the very latest.At last he had his very own car (= belonging to him and to nobody else).Grammar Pointvery / very muchVery is used with adjectives, past participles used as adjectives, and adverbs:I am very hungry.I was very pleased to get your letter.You played very well. But notice this use:I’m very much afraid that your son may be involved in the crime.Very is not used with past participles that have a passive meaning. Much, very much or greatly (formal) are usually used instead:Your help was very much appreciated.He was much loved by everyone.She was greatly admired.Very is used to emphasize superlative adjectives:my very best workthe very youngest children. However, with comparative adjectives much, very much, a lot, etc. are used:Your work is very much better.much younger children.Very is not used with adjectives and adverbs that already have an extreme meaning. You are more likely to use an adverb such as absolutely, completely, etc:She was absolutely furious.I’m completely exhausted.You played really brilliantly.Very is not used with verbs. Use very much instead:We enjoyed staying with you very much.

3the very sameexactly the sameMario said the very same thing.

Word OriginMiddle English (as an adjective in the sense ‘real, genuine’): from Old Frenchverai, based on Latinverus